By Faith Airaodion

The Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress has faulted the People Democratic Party’s call for the redeployment of the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Anugbum Onuaha, ahead of the August 16 by-elections.

In a statement by the state chairman, Jarret Tenebe, he said the PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, was looking for what to blame for his party’s defeat after the polls.

The statement reads, “The All Progressives Congress views the recent demand made by Tony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the deflated People’s Democratic Party in Edo for “the urgent redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Anugbum Onuaha, and electoral officers previously assigned to key local government areas” over his party’s concerns for their “credibility and impartiality, as an excuse for the fatal defeats that awaits them on August 16, 2025 when the bye-elections for Edo Central Senatorial District; and Ovia Federal House of Representatives Constituency elections will be held in the state.

“Aziegbemi and his weary and tired political urchins’ fear is caused by the unprecedented achievements  Governor Monday Okpebholo has recorded in just eight months in office. We will advise Aziegbemi and his half a dozen PDP members to brace up to accept the pain of the impending defeats that await them.

“Governor Okpebholo’s achievements have led thousands of politicians out of the PDP, and in fact, we have torn the umbrella into shreds, and the reality is that, in this coming election, and that of 2027, Edo people have made up their minds to vote massively for our party, the APC.

“As of today, no other political party exists in the state, except the APC. Governor Okpebholo’s achievements since his assumption have attracted many PDP members with good conscience to join us in our drive to give the state all-round development.”

Tenebe explained that the APC administration at both the federal and state levels has initiated lifesaving projects and is still doing more to improve the standards of living.

He added, “The long-abandoned roads, schools, hospitals and other infrastructures are receiving attention. There is also a marked improvement in security in our dear Edo State as a result of Governor Okpebholo’s re-engineering of the security architecture.

“The administration has also embarked on a massive recruitment of teachers to train pupils and students in our public schools. So, come August 16, Edo people will troop out en masse to vote for our candidates, Hon. Joe Ikpea and Hon. Omosede Igbinedion, who we have presented for the vacant Senate and Federal House of Representatives seats.

“On August 16, 2025, the APC is determined to prove to our leader—President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the 2.5million votes Edo State people promised him is possible.”